The high street meltdown has worsened in recent weeks with both HMV and Blockbuster in administration.

Camera retailer Jessops went under last month and electrical chain Comet closed in December.

New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show an extra 5,000 former shop workers have entered the benefits system every month since May 2010.

That’s more than for any other category of worker. The most recent data for those claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance shows that of the 82 categories of ­workers, the biggest growth was among people described as sales assistants and retail cashiers.

In May 2010 there were 232,000 of them claiming the out-of-work benefit.

By November 2012, the most up-to-date figures, that number had swelled to 380,000 – a rise of 64%.That included a 69% rise in unemployment among sales or retail assistants and 26% for cashiers or check-out operators.

The number of people who are claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance has risen just 2% since the Coalition came to power.

But there have been wide variations between different sectors of the workforce.

Other professions that have been badly hit include farming, senior civil servants, cleaners, teachers, teaching assistants and dinner ladies. Child carers, hairdressers and top corporate managers have also seen hefty job losses.

But jobless totals for builders, engineers, quantity surveyors and managers have fallen.

A British Retail Consortium spokesman told us: “Many high streets are facing a real ­endurance test at the moment.

“Weak consumer spending is exacerbating long-term difficulties and one in nine shops is standing empty – a record high.”